GREENSBORO – Mustard Seed Community Health has hired its first executive director, Lee Kirkman, a veteran of 27 years’ business management experience including eight years in nonprofits primarily in the Greensboro area.

“Lee is the perfect candidate for us,” said Scott Kutos, Mustard Seed’s chairman. “He has worked in nonprofit management, finance and fund-raising. He’s just what we need to bring our organization to the next level.”

Mustard Seed is a nonprofit medical clinic that opened in March and provides primary medical care to the underserved in the Cottage Grove neighborhood of East Greensboro. It is supported by donations from the faith-based community, individuals, foundations and corporations.

“I have been watching the evolution of Mustard Seed for three years, ever since Dr. Beth Mulberry began talking of her desire to open a clinic as she and I stood beside one another and played handbells in the choir at Congregational United Church of Christ,” Kirkman said.

“And now here we are, the doors are opened and the first patients are being treated. It is quite amazing.”

Asked to describe his work philosophy, he quoted cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

“We at Mustard Seed Community Health are doing just that, changing the world where we are,” Kirkman said.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University in communications and attended High Point University’s Nonprofit Management Institute.

He performs professionally with Bel Canto Company, Season’s Best Carolers, and Greensboro Historical Museum’s 5 BY O.HENRY; and is a tenor section leader and member of Trinity Voices at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

Among the Greensboro-area nonprofits he has worked with are the Women’s Resource Center, ArtsGreensboro, the Servant Center, the Eastern Music Festival, Greensboro Housing Coalition and GreenHill Center for NC Art. He started in his new role on July 5.